The new Australian government has received a positive response from Pacific island leaders in their communications engagement, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as he focused on the region where China is undermining its influence.China aims to build on a recent security agreement signed with the Solomon Islands, which has shocked the United States and its allies who fear that there will be more Chinese troops in the area that they have held for decades. “The response has been overwhelming,” Albanese said in a televised interview on Sunday, when asked about the reaction of Pacific leaders to the way his government has reacted.
Albanese said Pacific programs include a school for self-defense training, maritime security support, augmentation of aid and resilience to climate change.The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday that more than 100 Australian security personnel will visit Papua New Guinea to jointly train and help deal with cyber threats and organize national elections. Australian defense spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Australia’s new foreign minister, Penny Wong, headed to the Pacific on Thursday for her first foreign trip after taking the oath of office on the left.China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, is also on a tour of the Pacific seeking a 10-nation agreement on security and trade.Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said on Saturday he had a very good meeting with the Australian minister, who once told the Pacific Islands Forum secretary that Australia would listen to the Pacific islands about climate change.
Wang from China en route to Fiji on Saturday after a visit to Samoa where he met with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, Samoa said.In Fiji, Wang is expected to ratify the regional agreement on Monday.
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